Friday, November 30, 2018

From the Manila Bulletin (Nov 30): Lorenzana says they will create another military division to send to Sulu

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said that they will create another military division to send to Sulu to once and for all rid the province of the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).In an interview, Lorenzana said they will recruit more people to fill up the division and fulfill the mission of eradicating Sulu of the terrorist group.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (photo courtesy of the Office of the Secretary of National Defense)

“We are going to create another division. We will have permanent presence in Sulu and eliminate once and for all the Abu Sayyaf,” Lorenzana said.

“We are going to recruit more people for that division,” he added.

President Rodrigo Duterte announced on Tuesday the imminent troop movement after expressing dismay with the violent clash between government forces and the Abu Sayyaf bandits in Patikul, Sulu several days ago.

The encounter, which left five soldiers dead and several others wounded, was considered a “flashpoint” by the President.

“We visited a wake at Cauayan. I was with (Defense) Secretary (Delfin) Lorenzana and (Interior and Local Government) Secretary (Eduardo) Año. I talked to them and complained about why so many of my soldiers in Jolo are dying,” he said during a visit to a military camp in Bohol.

“By December 1, I told Secretary Lorenzana, ‘I want one division there’ so I will provide you with a Glock and three magazines,” he told the government troops.

The planned troop movement to Sulu comes amid the President’s decision to deploy more soldiers and cops to some parts of the country where incidents of lawless violence were reported.

Duterte earlier issued Memorandum Order No. 32 directing additional troops to the provinces of Samar, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, and the Bicol region to prevent the spread of violence.

The government forces have also been reminded to respect the constitutional rights of persons in performing their duty.

“No civil or political rights are suspended during the existence of a state of national emergency on account of lawless violence,” the order read.

Lorenzana, in the same interview, said it’s necessary to send additional forces in Samar, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental and Bicol to prevent Communist New People’s Army Terrorists (CNTs) from further committing terrorist attacks in those provinces.

He also admitted that the enemy still is a force to be reckoned with in those areas, thus the need for troop deployment.

Earlier, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced that two battalions of soldiers were already deployed to Samar to fulfill its mission of stopping the attacks by the CNTs.

“Remember they burned the equipment of the contractors in the… so they are still there..And as per the information of the mayor of Legazpi there are still NPA collecting money, extorting money from businessmen,” he added.

Lorenzana said the movement of troops will only be temporary to help troops on the ground.

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Nov 30): 4 NPA rebels slain in clash with gov’t troopsMALAPATAN, SARANGANI – At least four alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed in an encounter with the 73rd Infantry Battalion (IB) in Barangay Upper Suyan here around 1 p.m. on Thursday.Lt. Col. Marion Angcao, 73rd IB commanding officer, said on Friday the slain rebels were members of the communist Guerilla Front 71.

They were seen near the site where health workers from the province were doing their three-day mass vaccination program because of the reported measles outbreak that killed 18 children.

The military, however, could not yet identify the bodies at the encounter site.

From the Manila Bulletin (Nov 30): Gov’t winning war against Reds in Caraga – Army official

BUTUAN CITY – The government is strategically winning the war against the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (NPA) in Northeastern Mindanao or Caraga region.

302nd Infantry Brigade (FACEBOOK / MANILA BULLETIN)

This was the bold disclosure made by Brig. Gen. Franco Nemesio M. Gacal, commanding general of the Army’s 402nd Infantry (Stingers) Brigade, during the joint open forum and press conference of the weeklong Mindanao Week of Peace (MWOP) held at St. Joseph Hall, San Lorenzo Ruiz, Pastoral Center, Barangay Ampayon, Butuan City, on Thursday, November 29.

The 402nd Brigade commander stressed that the government was already winning the war against the CPP-NPA in various parts of the region.

Caraga region is considered as the last bastion of the communist-guerilla movement due to its typical mountainous and forested terrain in Southern Mindanao.

“Yes, we are already gaining headway,” declared Gacal, when asked by newsmen.

The 402nd Brigade commander further disclosed that more than 300 communist NPA terrorists have already surrendered to the government since early this year.

He also claimed that more rebels are set to return to the fold of the law to avail of the government’s livelihood, peace and development program, a program that is jointly undertaken by all concerned line agencies of the government and local government units (LGUs).

The ground Army commander also cited the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program or E-CLIP, where many former rebels decided to come down and avail the program to be productive and peaceful citizens in their respective communities.

Under the E-CLIP, a former rebel can avail of the P15,000 immediate cash assistance and P50,000 livelihood assistance when he surrenders. In addition, the surrendered firearms have an equivalent amount of money depending on the serviceability and caliber of the firearm, Brig. Gacal added.

Meanwhile, Lt. Tere Ingente, chief of the Public Affairs Office (PAO) of the Army’s Northeastern and Northern Mindanao 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division also told the Manila Bulletin that hardship and lack of logistical support were among the reasons why many CPP-NPAs are giving themselves up.

The NPA’s Sparrow Unit was active in the 1980s during the dictatorship of former president Ferdinand Marcos.

The communist rebel group then created an urban guerrilla unit called the Alex Boncayao Brigade (ABB), which consists of hit squads that kill government officials and suspected government agents.

A profile at the armed group at the Encyclopedia Britannica stated that “the ABB, which operated independently of its parent organization, launched its first attack in May 1984.”

The ABB hitmen were then called “sparrow units” for their swift assassinations, and they often elude arrest.

The Washington Post said these “sparrow units” were named after the sparrow bird because of their “smallness and quick moves.”

Sparrow assassinations had a pattern: a group of three men will approach the target on the street, open fire at close range using handguns, and flee aboard jeepneys or blend in with the crowd.

When the Communist Party split into the Reaffirm and Reallign groups in the 1990s, the ABB split with the NPA and allied itself with the Revolutionary Proletarian Army (RPA).

Sparrow units in DDS

A 2009 Human Rights Watch (HRW) report stated that the notorious Davao Death Squad (DDS) were composed of former members of the NPA’s sparrow units who surrendered to Duterte when he was the Davao City Mayor.

“One insider said that a high-ranking DDS member in his area had been a member of a “sparrow unit” who surrendered directly to Davao City Mayor Duterte,” HRW said in its report entitled, “You Can Die Any Time” Death Squad Killings in Mindanao.

The DDS was initially a small team called “Lambada Boys ” tasked to assassinate petty criminals.

HRW claimed that older members of the DDS recruited in the early 2000s were former members of the “sparrow units” of the NPA.

The report noted that in mid-1997, about 60 unsolved murders conducted by the DDS used similar warfare tactics to the NPA’s sparrow squad.

‘No longer deployed’

Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria “Joma” Sison denied that the Sparrow Units are still deployed as widely as in the 1970s and 1980s.

From the Philippine Star (Nov 29): Duterte's 'death squad' is still just an idea, Palace says

Malacañang on Thursday claimed President Rodrigo Duterte’s plan to form a hit squad to take out communist rebels does not violate due process, implying the "death squads" would be acting preemptively against alleged assassins.

Rights groups and government critics on Wednesday sounded the alarm on the president’s announcement that he would create an armed civilian group to target members of New People’s Army’s “sparrow” units. “Sparrows,” for Special Partisan Units, are NPA hit squads blamed for assassinations.

He sad the unit would go after "suspected NPAs" and that this would negate the communist rebels' "advantage" of having Special Partisan Units.

Duterte’s statement, they said, would give the unit license to kill rebels, leftists and even civilians.

But presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Thursday that Duterte would only be doing his duty to protect Filipinos if the planned hit squad, which may include former rebels, is realized.

'You're running after people who will assassinate us'

“Why are you violating due process? You’re running after criminals. You’re running after people who will assassinate us. You will prevent it from happening,” he told reporters in a press briefing.

Panelo, who is also Duterte’s chief legal adviser, added: “In other words, we have situation here where there is a group of men who will kill with impunity. What do you want the state to do? Just sit idly and watch? You cannot do that. It’s the duty of the state to protect the citizens.”

Article III, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution holds that “no person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law, nor shall any person be denied the equal protection of the laws.”

He added that the proposed unit will only go after members of the NPA "Sparrow" units. "You will know if they're not ("sparrows") if you're with their former comrades, then you will know... that's what the president meant," he said.

Death squads prohibited 'under all circumstances'

Commission on Human Rights Chair Chito Gascon on Wednesday said that protecting people from lawless violence should adhere to established rules of engagement and due process.

“International humanitarian law requires states to use only regular armed forces under strict military discipline. Thus this strictly prohibits death squads under all circumstances,” Gascon said.

Even Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana warned that there might be “great danger of abuse or mistakes” on Duterte’s proposition.

Despite criticisms, Panelo stressed that the creation of a “death squad” to counter communist insurgents is only an idea at the moment.

“He’s floating that idea and some are responding—others for, others against. Let’s see how it develops,” he said.

'Stepped up' operations

This is not the first time that taking action against the "sparrow" units.

In March, Duterte and Ronald Dela Rosa, then Philippine National Police director general, claimed that the NPA's "sparrow" units had stepped up operations against government personnel.

"I'm trying to enlist also the help of former police officers assigned in Mindanao for the 'sparrow''s most active," a GMA News Online report quotes Duterte as saying at the time.

In response to the plan, the Communist Party of the Philippines said: "It seems Duterte is doing some scenario-building to hatch up another tyrannical scheme. The PNP plan to have a group of 'seasoned retired police officers' to train PNP field personnel on 'anti-sparrow' operations sound shady, to say the least."

"Recall that in the late 1980s, the PNP and AFP used the 'anti-sparrow' operations to set up so-called “secret marshalls” which were used to attack activists, especially among the urban poor groups, resulting in numerous cases of 'salvagings'," the CPP also said.

Over 12,000 people in Central Mindanao and Lanao del Sur have been deprived of stable income due to continued displacement caused by protracted armed conflict. These affected families received cash grants from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), with support of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), in order to regain their livelihood and become less dependent on aid.

These families will be able to purchase tools or equipment, start small businesses, and meet their other basic needs, during displacement or when they return home.

Since 2015, thousands of families in Maguindanao Province have been recurrently displaced by the fighting between the government forces and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF). Following the end of the Marawi crisis in October 2017, clashes intensified between the AFP and BIFF and other non-state armed groups, causing repeated displacement and damage to livelihoods and property.

“Our beneficiaries told us they had fled their homes more than seven times between March and November 2018 due to the fighting,” explains Kaisa Kruuse, head of the ICRC office in Cotabato City. She continued, “This constant movement disrupts their access to basic necessities such as food and water, livelihood and even education. The displaced people wish to restore stability and dignity, but at the moment many still depend on humanitarian assistance.”

At the same time in Lanao del Sur, over 65,000 former residents of the Marawi’s most affected area still reside with relatives or in evacuation centers, over a year since the conflict ended between the government forces and IS-Ranao (Maute Group) and Abu Sayyaf. The ICRC and PRC regularly monitor the situation and respond with most appropriate interventions. In 2018, the ICRC cash grants reached about 2,000 families (8,000 people) displaced to six municipalities in Lanao del Sur.

The total cash grants have now reached 39 million pesos (around 745,000 US dollars). The aim is to help the most vulnerable, including displaced people, those with low income, those with multiple dependents especially children, pregnant women, the elderly and the sick.

"This support means a lot for evacuees like us from the main affected area in Marawi. We don't know when we will be able to return home, but nevertheless, life has to move on here in our current place of living, especially for my small children,” said one beneficiary in Bacolod Kalawi, sharing her business idea. "I will use this grant to put up a 'piso net' (small internet shop) and I’m hoping to change my situation for the better."

The ICRC is a neutral, impartial and independent humanitarian organization working to prevent and alleviate suffering during armed conflict and other situations of violence. It also visits people detained in relation to the conflict to monitor their treatment and living conditions, and facilitates visits from their families.

Forty former rebels (FRs) who surrendered to the 66th Infantry Battalion were handed livelihood starter kits by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Compostela Valley on Wednesday, Nov. 28.

1Lt. Leo Daren Gapay, the civil-military operations officer of 66th IB, said they facilitated the turnover of the kits ina simple ceremony at their headquarters.

The ceremony was attended by Lt. Col. Palmer Parungao, the commander of 66th IB; Patrick Kim Evangelio, the acting division chief of the DTI-ComVal; and Faustino E. Diabordo, project coordinator of DTI-ComVal.

Gapay said the project was in line with the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip) of the government to capacitate and support the former rebels in going back to mainstream society and become productive citizens

.

“Each individual FR was given a P20,000 worth of assistance and among the identified livelihood projects proposed by the individual FR are a sari-sari store, livestock-raising, blacksmithing and hollow block-making,” he added.

Evangelio in his opening remark said, “This starter kit of livelihood seeding program is like a book. You have to read the book in order to understand its content and apply it in your life. When you receive this starter kit, you have to make an effort for you to be able to sustain it and make it grow,” he said.

Meanwhile, Gapay said alias Maya, a former member of Guerrilla front 27, also delivered a testimony.

She thanked the army and the government for giving them another lease on life.

Parungao said the military will help monitor the progress of the former rebels and help sustain their projects.

“We made it possible for former rebels and the soldiers to live together in harmony, building respect and nurturing appreciation from each other’s effort for the community to achieve peace and self-sustainment,” he added.

He also encouraged the remaining members of the NPA to lay down their arms and surrender. “The government has programs for you to start again and live a peaceful and happy life,” the battalion commander said.

BOHOL CITY, Nov. 30 -- President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Tuesday, November 27, led the turnover of 365 housing units to the soldiers of 302nd Brigade in Camp Rajah Sikatuna.

During his speech, the Commander-in-Chief expressed his gratitude to the brave soldiers of the brigade, especially to the families of those who lost loved ones of in the line of duty.

The President then assured them that the government will continue to assist them and providing for their shelter is one of the ways by which government fulfills this commitment.

“I am here because maligaya ako. I’m happy that you were awarded houses,” he said.

Aside from the military personal, the President also promised to build more houses for New People’s Army (NPA) rebels who want to return to the fold of the law.

“I’ll try to build more. At the same time, we have a problem with the insurgencies. So I’m also offering them house, ” he further said.

President Duterte reiterated his commitment to the military and police that his administration will always be behind them, supporting them as they continue the fight against terrorism and extremism in the country.

“With a determined spirit and a hopeful heart, I am hopeful that we will one day overcome all threats to our people sovereignty, improve the quality of lives of our people and realize our vision of a stronger, safer and truly progressive tomorrow,” he said.

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 30): PH Navy recognizes Bonifacio's role in quest for freedom

Did you know that one of the Philippine Navy's ships was named after Katipunan founder, Gat Andres Bonifacio, who would have been 155 years old today?

Navy Spokesperson Commander Jonathan Zata said one of the three Gregorio Del Pilar frigates, formerly Hamilton-class cutters acquired from the US from 2011 to 2016, was named after the hero in honor of his contribution to the country's quest for freedom during the Spanish colonial rule.

"Your Navy recognizes the distinct contribution of the Father of the Katipunan and acknowledges his deeds and ultimate sacrifice for the price of freedom. His boldness, patriotism and vision for a better nation are virtues that are alive and well within the AFP and your Navy," Zata said.

On Nov. 30, 1863, Bonifacio, the father of the Philippine Revolution, was born in Tondo, Manila.

He was one of the founders of Katipunan and later became its Supremo (Supreme Leader). The Katipunan was a movement that sought the independence of the Philippines from Spanish colonial rule in the late 1800s.

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 30): More troops deployed to Samar: AFP

More troops have been deployed to Samar to quell “lawless violence” in the province, a military spokesperson said Thursday.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said two infantry battalions have been sent to Samar, shortly after an assessment confirmed that there is a need to put additional troops there.

"Nagkaroon na tayo ng ginagawang assessment and then nakita natin that there's really a need for us to reinforce our units there kaya pinadala natin ang dalawang battalions na ito (We conducted an assessment and found out there's really a need for us to reinforce our units so deployed these two battalions," he said.

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 27): Marawi, A Year After: A Photo Exhibit

To let the rest of the country understand the current challenges faced by Filipino Muslims in Mindanao, a photo exhibit titled "Marawi: A Year After" was held at the National Museum of the Philippines' Museum of Anthropology.

The month-long exhibit, which opened in October, showcased the photos taken by Mylah Reyes Roque, wife of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, during their official visits to Marawi.

“My first in Marawi was at the height of the siege when my husband and I brought blankets and mats to displaced residents in the evacuation centers. We also brought socks and underwear for soldiers and policemen,” she said during a talk about the exhibit on Friday.

Former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque with his wife Mylah Reyes-Roque and soldiers during Marawi siege. (Photo courtesy of Mylah Reyes-Roque)

Roque visited the site for the second time with Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-IBIG officers to provide housing assistance to affected employees of Mindanao State University.

Her third visit was with Cielito "Honeylet" Avancena, President Rodrigo Duterte’s common law wife, and the Du30 Cabinet Spouses Association. They distributed cash assistance and relief goods to the women of Marawi.

Roque's photos showing the damaged incurred by one of the big mosques at Marawi's Islamic Center.

'Bombang hindi sumabog'.

Roque said this is one of the unexploded ordnances (UXO) found on Menor Street.

Saint Mary's Cathedral after siege.

Roque said Saint Mary's Cathedral is perhaps the only Catholic church in Marawi, which has the features of Christian and Islamic elements.

Residents spray-painted their homes to show ownership.

According to Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM), the estimate cost of damaged public facilities, infrastructure and commercial structures that need rebuilding is PHP17.2 billion. It said the clearing alone of eight to five million metric tons of debris would cost more than PHP3 billion.

At the photo exhibition, TFBM provided an overview of the rehabilitation plan through a video. The group has begun with debris cleaning, site development, improvement of roads, underground water and electric utilities and telecommunications and sewage systems.

By 2020, the group will begin with the construction of public buildings and commercial structures, alongside homeowners’ rebuilding of privately-owned properties so residents can safely return to peaceful and productive communities by 2022.

On May 23, 2017, militants led by the Maute group and Abu Sayyaf seized Marawi City to install a caliphate in the southern part of the Philippines.

The government declared war against the lawless groups that lasted five months. Apart from killing hundreds of people and displacing thousands of families, the siege destroyed the cultural properties and residences in the city, known as the "Islamic Capital of the Philippines".

Authorities filed violation of Republic Act 7610 or the "Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act" before the Tagum City Prosecutor’s Office against Ocampo, Castro, the school administrator and nine teachers and of the Salugpungan Community Learning Center (SCLC), two staff of the ACT-Teachers and three pastors of the United Church of Christ of the Philippines (UCCP) and one of the United Methodist church.

They allegedly held 14 minors without the consent of their parents and permit from the Municipal Social Welfare Office.

Ocampo and Castro were reportedly part of a humanitarian mission in Talaingod, Davao del Norte on Wednesday. The two, together with the children, teachers and church leaders on board five vans, were flagged down by police at past 9 p.m on Wednesday.

A report from the 1003rd Brigade said that when the vehicles were inspected, there were about 74 persons, including minors. The minors were immediately released through the municipal social worker.

The report said authorities have coordinated with other provinces for the minors who are not from the province.

Aside from Ocampo and Castro, the following persons were also charged:

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 30): Construction of Air Force base in Palawan to start in 2019

AIR POWER FORUM. Maj. Gen. Restituto F. Padilla Jr., Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) deputy chief of staff for Plans J-5 (extreme right), Atty. Teodoro Jose Matta (2nd from right), Palawan provincial legal officer; and other Philippine Air Force officials attend the first-ever 'Air Power Forum' held at the provincial capitol on Thursday (November 29, 2018). The forum aims to share information to the public on how air assets of the PAF help in maintaining safety and security in the province. (Photo courtesy of the Palawan Provincial Information Office)

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan -- The proposed Philippine Air Force (PAF) base in Balabac, southern Palawan, is expected to begin construction in the first quarter of 2019, a local government official said here Thursday afternoon.

Atty. Teodoro Jose Matta, legal officer of the Palawan provincial government, said in an “Air Power Forum” that the groundwork for the new 300-hectare air base can start as land clearing is almost complete. The forum was held at the provincial capitol here.

The first-ever forum was led by the PAF’s Tactical Operations Wing West (TOWW) to inform the public about how Palawan’s security and safety is maintained using the country’s air assets.

Matta said the area, being unblocked in the site in Barangay Catagupan, mainland Balabac, is for the base’s three-kilometer runway and four-kilometer

“At the moment we are already conducting ground-clearing. The target is that by first quarter of 2019, the area should have been cleared of obstructions and secured,” Matta said.

He noted the site was purchased by the provincial government for said purpose, and its management and possession had already been turned over to the PAF earlier.

In July 2018, Palawan Governor Jose Alvarez signed a memorandum of agreement with Lt. General Galileo Gerard Kintanar Jr., the PAF commanding general, for the establishment of the base that would take care of security in the southern border.

Alvarez said the area might also possibly serve as the location of a proposed airport to be constructed in southern Palawan to increase tourism influx.

ARRESTED. Mugshot of kidnapping suspect Maoti Salik who was arrested Thursday in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao. (Photo courtesy of CIDG-ARMM) DATU ODIN SINSUAT, Maguindanao – Police arrested on Thursday a member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) with a warrant of arrest for kidnapping carrying an unlicensed firearm.

Maoti Salik, a resident of Barangay Langeban, Kabuntalan, Maguindanao has been turned over to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group or CIDG-Maguindanao field office, according to Chief Inspector Sabri Lakibul, Datu Odin Sinsuat (DOS) town police chief.

Lakibul said Salik, 53, paid a visit to a relative now detained at Datu Odin Sinsuat lock-up cell Thursday. A jail guard identified as PO2 Shahid Kasim, however, noticed that the suspect had a pistol tucked on his waist.

When checked, police recovered from Salik an MILF identification document and an unlicensed .45-caliber pistol with ammunition.

Lakibul said when checked further with the CIDG, the police found out that Salik has a standing warrant of arrest issued by RTC-Branch 13 Judge Bansawan Ibrahim for kidnapping charges.

Police records show that Salik is a member of the Pentagon kidnap-for-ransom group that victimized rich Filipino-Chinese businessmen during the 1990s in Central Mindanao.

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 30): Lanao Moro leaders show support for BOL

Sultan Usman Tantao Sarangani Sr. (on the podium), the Sultan of Uya-an and Paramount Sultan of Mindanao, tells the traditional leaders of the two Lanao provinces that they must unite and work together for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) during an assembly in Barangay Poblacion, Madalum town, Lanao del Sur, on Thursday, Nov. 29. (Photo by Jigger J. Jerusalem)
MADALUM, Lanao del Sur – Traditional leaders from the two Lanao provinces pledged their full support for the implementation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) during a gathering here Thursday.

Sultan Usman Sarangani Sr., the Sultan of Uya-an and reigning Paramount Sultan of Mindanao, said they support the ratification of the BOL to pave the way for the establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Sarangani said the traditional leaders in the two provinces hope that the establishment of the BARMM will lead to “better and comfortable life for the Bangsamoro people.”

He also applauded the BOL for recognizing the importance of traditional leaders in the Bangsamoro society by creating mechanisms for them to play a pivotal role in promoting peace and order, and conflict resolution.

“(We) will also work for the unification of the traditional leaders and encourage the search for solutions to the differences among the traditional leaders,” Sarangani added.

While they have no political power, traditional leaders remain widely respected and regarded as cultural representatives of the Meranao people.

Sarangani said the assembly attended by some 500 traditional leaders, which he noted was the first of its kind in Lanao, was a venue for them to "amplify" the provisions of the BOL to make them understand and appreciate its provisions.

He said traditional leaders are grateful to President Rodrigo Duterte for advancing the BOL and for working towards peace and development in Muslim Mindanao.

Adan Abdullah, who represented the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) during the assembly, said he will convey to the MILF leadership the inputs of the traditional leaders on BOL, as well as their support for its ratification.

Abdullah noted that traditional leaders “have the responsibility to support governance,” even as he thanked them for “helping push the idea of self-governance and self-determination”.

Among the speakers in the assembly include Aleem Rasad Bacaraman, president of the Haitul Ulama Bangsamoro; Commissioner Said Sheik of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission; and Ali Solaiman, of the MILF Central Committee.http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1055421